Mirador de Ses Ànimes (Banyalbufar, Mallorca)

Mirador de Ses Ànimes is the cliff-top viewpoint around a 16th-century watchtower on the Ma-10 coast road, about 1.5 km from Banyalbufar towards Estellencs in western Mallorca. You park at the roadside, climb a few steps and stand beside the Torre del Verger, with views along the north coast and, on a clear day, as far as the western tip of Sa Dragonera. Entry is free and there is a bus stop at the gate. It suits drivers and bus users doing the coast road and anyone after a sunset stop; skip it if you want a long walk or facilities.

Quick facts

• Names: Mirador de Ses Ànimes (Catalan, “viewpoint of the souls”), often written Ses Animes. The tower is the Torre del Verger or Torre des Verger, also called Torre (or Talaia) de ses Ànimes; in Banyalbufar people call it sa Torreta.
• Where: Ma-10, Banyalbufar–Estellencs road, km 88.6, Banyalbufar (Mallorca).
• Coordinates: 39.6837, 2.5000.
• Tower: circular stone watchtower; the Gran i General Consell decided to build it in 1579, and it was standing by 1597. About four metres tall, it is described as the smallest tower in Mallorca.
• Protection: Bé d’Interès Cultural (Asset of Cultural Interest) since 30 November 1993.
• Height: about 150 m above sea level.
• Entry: free, open-air.
• Bus: stop “Torre des Verger (Banyalbufar)”, on TIB line 202 from Palma.

Access and parking

By car: take the Ma-10 from Banyalbufar towards Estellencs. The tower stands at km 88.6 (Balearic tourism portal), about a kilometre and a half from the village (Viquipèdia). Spanish Wikipedia notes that rockfalls can cut it in winter storms (Wikipedia ES, Estellencs).

Parking: OpenStreetMap shows free roadside parking about 110 m south of the tower and more street-side spaces about 360 m north. Spaces are limited, so do not block the road or the bus stop.

By bus: the stop “Torre des Verger (Banyalbufar)” is about 50 m from the tower. OpenStreetMap lists TIB line 202 (Palma–Esporles–Banyalbufar–Estellencs) and a summer-only line 131 (Banyalbufar–Santa Ponça) there. We could not confirm the 2026 timetables; check TIB before you travel.

On foot: the ca.wikipedia article on Banyalbufar says walking out to the tower is a usual stroll for people from the village. The GR 221 long-distance path passes a guidepost about 370 m away (OpenStreetMap).

What to expect

A small stone tower on a rocky spur above the sea, with steps and a handrail up to it, a few stone benches and a bin. The tourism portal describes the view along the north coast of Mallorca and, on a clear day, as far as the westernmost point of Sa Dragonera, and recommends it for sunset (illesbalears.travel). Spain’s national tourism site calls the tower “an excellent viewpoint of the town and its shore” and a symbol of Banyalbufar (spain.info).

The tower was part of a chain of watch and signal towers along the Tramuntana coast, built against pirate raids after Banyalbufar was sacked in 1542 and 1546. It exchanged signals with the Torre de na Pòpia and the Torre de Valldemossa, and in 1715 it was the first to spot the Bourbon fleet of General d’Asfeld (Viquipèdia). It has a machicolation over the door and arrow loops, but never had artillery. The door is about two metres up the wall, and the watchmen lived in a hut about 100 m away because the tower was too small to live in.

The name “of the souls” comes from a legend linked to Archduke Lluís Salvador, who bought the tower in 1875: a farmer who had refused to sell him the land around it fell to his death from the cliffs, and on windy days you were said to hear his soul moaning. The two dates for its restoration are probably two separate works: the Balearic tourism portal says the tower was restored in 1995 by the Balearic government, and the Catalan Wikipedia, citing Diario de Mallorca, records a later restoration by the Consell de Mallorca in 2020, with reopening planned for 2021. We could not open a primary source for either on 9 November 2026, so treat both dates as reported rather than confirmed.

Practical details

• No ticket and no published opening hours: it is an open-air viewpoint by the road.
• No toilets, café or water are mapped at the viewpoint; the nearest village is Banyalbufar, 1.5 km away.
• We could not confirm whether you can go inside the tower; treat it as a monument to see from outside.
• Combine it with Banyalbufar village: the tourism portal notes that the Malvasia grape is grown on the Banyalbufar and Estellencs terraces (illesbalears.travel).

Accessibility and safety

Best time to visit

Sunset is the classic time: the tourism portal’s page is headed “The best sunset”. Parking is limited, so allow time to find a space. You need a clear day to see Sa Dragonera. After heavy storms check that the Ma-10 is open.

Nearby alternatives

• Banyalbufar town guide, 1.3 km away: the terraced village on the sea.
• Andratx town guide, 13.9 km away: the western end of the coast road, Port d’Andratx and the boats to Sa Dragonera.
• Esporles town guide, 6.8 km away: the valley town on the bus route to Palma.
• Mirador de Sa Foradada, 13.4 km away: the Son Marroig viewpoint over the pierced rock at Deià.
• Sa Dragonera, 18.9 km away: the island you can see from the tower on clear days.
• Serra de Tramuntana: the World Heritage mountain range the coast road runs through.

Distances are in a straight line from the tower.

FAQ

Where is the Mirador de Ses Ànimes?

On the Ma-10 at km 88.6, between Banyalbufar and Estellencs, about 1.5 km from Banyalbufar. Coordinates: 39.6837, 2.5000.

Is there parking at Mirador de Ses Ànimes?

Yes, but little. OpenStreetMap shows free roadside parking about 110 m from the tower and more spaces about 360 m north along the road.

Can I get to Ses Ànimes by bus?

Yes. TIB line 202 from Palma stops at “Torre des Verger (Banyalbufar)”, about 50 m from the tower. Check the current timetable before you go.

Why is it called Ses Ànimes?

“Ses Ànimes” means “the souls”. A local legend says the moans of a farmer who fell from the cliffs could be heard here when the wind blew.

Is Mirador de Ses Ànimes good for sunset?

Yes. The Balearic tourism portal heads its page “The best sunset”; arrive early, as parking is limited.

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